A Message to the Community Regarding the Adopted 2011 Budget

Catherine Borgia, Town Supervisor

One consistent message that I have heard from constituents this year is the heavy burden of property taxes during a time of great economic stress. I am very pleased to announce that the Adopted 2011 Budget shows tax decreases for all taxpayers in the Town of Ossining, including residents in the Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff.  This decrease will be achieved with no loss of services. We have heard the needs of our taxpayers and this budget reflects their concerns.

This budget has tax decreases in both the Town General budget (-0.15%) and the Town Unincorporated budget (-7.70%).  All residents of the Town of Ossining, including those in the Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff Manor, pay the Town General tax. It is important to note that the Town General tax represents less than 2% of the total property tax bill.  Residents in the Unincorporated area (the “town-outside” of both villages) pay the Town Unincorporated tax.  These tax decreases have been achieved through careful fiscal control by the Town managers, innovative practices to craft government services, and cost-cutting measures taken by every Town employee.

For a second consecutive year, the Budget shows a decrease in spending in both the Town General and Town Outside portions of the budget, for a total of $436,149 in savings. The Budget also includes Emergency Contingency Accounts for the three major funds: Town General Fund, Unincorporated Area Fund and Highway Fund to be used, as per our Fund Balance Policy adopted in early 2010, for unexpected costs that may arise during the coming year.  Another best-practices model implemented in the Tentative Budget is a 6-year Capital Plan to better anticipate and allocate resources for needed capital improvements in the municipality.

One major innovation reflected in this budget is the Town’s plan to contract for police services with Westchester County.  The decision to contract for policing services was very complex and required a great deal of analysis, data collection and reflection.  The process would not have been as effective without a great deal of work by Town Staff, careful Board analysis, and participation by residents of the Town.  I am very grateful to all who helped the Town Board make this decision.  Contract discussions with the County are underway; we will have more information as the deal is finalized.  As a result of contracting with the County, we anticipate a tax decrease of -13.33% in the Unincorporated Area fund. This fund and the Highway Fund make up the Town Outside total; taxpayers will see a -7.70% tax decrease in that portion of their property tax bill.

Another financial success in 2010 was the increased marketing of Historic Dale Cemetery, which led to a bulk sale of plots, and the opening of a new market for the cemetery for advanced, bulk plot sales to a new market.  The annual Town General Fund appropriation made to Dale Cemetery sharply decreases in this budget to $57, 248 from last year’s contribution of $232,358 from the Town General Fund.  Additional future bulk sales will decrease or eliminate this taxpayer expense.

Despite these recent financial accomplishments, this continues to be a very challenging time for municipal governments.  We face some of the same issues that our residents are experiencing as a result of the economic downturn.  In Westchester County, Towns are responsible for collecting school and county taxes, and making the school districts and County “whole.” Regardless of whether taxpayers have paid their school or county taxes, the Town of Ossining pays the entire amount owed by our taxpayers to the Ossining and Briarcliff School Districts, and to Westchester County.  The Town then becomes the priority lien holder on the property, and ultimately receives the amount owed plus late fees.  The total amount of unpaid taxes due as of October 2010 is $2,981,641.  This amount is an “accounts receivable” to the Town, and will create a very healthy fund balance over time once it is collected through the Town’s rigorous tax-collection practices and the legislatively-mandated foreclosure process.

Other economic challenges faced by the Town include a decrease of Taxable Assessed Values of -1.10% in the Town Outside and -0.38% in Town General.  Like every municipality in Westchester County, we have seen a sharp increase in tax certiorari filings which further impact the Town of Ossining Assessment Roll.  Additionally, our state-mandated contribution to the New York State Employees’ Retirement System increases 43.45% in 2011.

At the same time that our mandated costs are increasing, our other sources of revenue are declining.  In 2010, our Mortgage Tax revenue came in lower than the amount budgeted, even though that amount had been significantly reduced from prior years. Accordingly, the Adopted 2011 Budget reflects an anticipated 11.5% decrease in Mortgage Tax revenue.   New York State Aid to Municipalities decreases an additional 10% in this budget, in keeping with the cuts made by the State in 2010 and anticipated in 2011.  For the second year, the Adopted 2011 Budget uses no fund balance to offset expenses.

Despite all of these economic challenges, the Town of Ossining is delighted to be able to offer a budget that shows a tax decrease for all taxpayers in the Town of Ossining.  This is due to the hard work and careful resource management by every employee of the Town of Ossining.  As taxpayers, we are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of public servants working for our benefit.

The Adopted 2011 Budget is available in the Town Clerk’s office at 16 Croton Avenue, the Ossining Public Library, and online download below.

Download the 2011 Adopted Budget - Line Item [PDF 1.11MB]

2011 Adopted Budget - Highlights
2011 Adopted Budget - Summary
2011 Adopted Budget - Worksheet

2011 Budget Presentation: PowerPoint Slideshow -- PDF Document
Capital Improvement Plan - Six Year 2011
Assessors Exemption Impact Report 2011

Download the Budget Archives...

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